Ok so the contest is over. Many registered but few actually submitted code. The timing was very short. However, I am pleased to announced that the code we received was great!
Here are the improvement to the code:
- A big Security problem fixed
- Several non-free library removed and replaced by free ones
- A start of a testing framework added to the code
- Eclipse project files created
- Start of CLF2 porting
- HTML markup error fixed (XHTML validation)
As I said, many registered, but only 3 individuals submitted code. We will therefore split the prize 3 way.
First prize - Chris Longtin $1333.34
Chris submitted amazing code, showing how fast he can dive into a project and how well he can document commits! Because of Chris, OPA is now much more secure and free of non free libraries!
Second prize - Michael Richardson $1333.33
Micheal told us that refactoring was difficult to do because of the lack of unit testing. So he decided to implement the base of what will hopefully grow to become a comprehensive testing framework for OPA.
Third prize - Andrew "Orospakr" Clunis $1333.33
Andrew made the code usable in Eclispe, he worked on the CLF2 porting, not to mention countless HTML markup cleanup for XHTML compliance.
Furthermore, CREDIL also chipped in and after this contest the project will be available in a properly organized website along with better documentation and tools that have become standard in properly functioning Free Software Projects.
We will also have VM available so that individuals can dive in the code easily. This will lower the step considerably for organization wanting to add features to the application in the future. OPA will emerge as an inviting project allowing people to easily re-contribute code.
For CREDIL this is an opportunity to be a vehicle for organizations wishing to take code out of the closet and establish a community around it. We hope that many projects like OPA will come our way.
Chris
Some of you reported that the automatic registration confirmation did not work. Si while we are not accepting new participants for the contest anymore, those of you who have registered have until noon tomorrow to submit. (12:00 EDT March 31st)
Many people have expressed interest but few followed through. The reason is not so much that the code is badly written nor that refactoring would be hard to do, it is more that the time needed to jump in the project is long and that many pre-requisites, such as unit tests were not present.
But we are changing all that! CREDIL volonteers are working hard to make the project available in a properly organized website along with better documentation and tools to use it with eclipse and other things that have become standard in properly functioning Free Software Projects. We will also have VM available so that individuals can dive in the code easily. This will lower the step considerably for organization wanting to add features to the application in th future.
While the original goal of the contest may not be fully met, OPA will emerge as an inviting project allowing people to easily contribute code.
On of CREDIL's role is to be a vehicle for organizations wishing to take code out of the closet and establish a community around it. We hope that many projects like OPA will come our way.
We will award the prize money next week.
Git HEAD now has Eclipse project files.
A git repository is now available!
git clone git://code.credil.org/opa
Please check back in a couple of hours; a git repository is almost ready.
Please register to receive contest details. We are also preparing a vm to simplify the process and allow participants to go straight to the coding! See Wiki for more info: http://code.credil.org/wiki/opa
This exercise in code refactoring is bordering on extreme programing because of the short time that we have to conduct the contest. However, this will serve to put the spotlight on those who can be resourceful and creative!
We are working to get everything ready so that participants can quickly dive into the code and start their magic...
Check the wiki for more details: http://code.credil.org/wiki/opa
Contest is over!
